The Best Compound Resistance Exercise

The biggest excuse not to exercise has to be lack of time. That’s why it’s important to make the most of your workout. You can do this by incorporating the most effective exercises in to your routine. The most effective, lower-body exercise is a squat. Squats are bigger, compound exercises that make you work harder and burn more calories. They are strength and cardio training combined in one, effective exercise. In return, you get weight loss and fitness results, faster.
Squats are lower body exercises that work the gluteus, quads, hamstrings and calves all at the same time, while also engaging and stabilizing the core muscles.

Perform squats correctly by standing with feet hip-width apart, bending at the knees and lowering hips towards the floor while keeping the back straight. Prevent injuries by not lowering past 90 degrees, keeping your knees behind the toes. It’s a great idea to use a mirror and check out your position from a side view to be sure you are not overextending.

A squat is a lot like going to sit down and changing then your mind. A personal trainer or instructional video can also show you the best way to perform a squat correctly. Incorrect strength exercises will lead to no results and sore joints.

Use squats to increase your metabolism and jump start weight loss. Regular strength training with compound exercises like squats adds muscle and increases energy production. Women sometimes shy away from too much strength training because they fear having bulky muscles. The truth is most women will not usually bulk up due to their hormonal make-up. Creating lean muscle will raise the resting metabolic rate meaning that your body will burn more calories at rest.

Adding in compound exercises like squats can cut your gym time down since your body is burning calories more effectively than with long, steady routines. It also will tone the body and make it have a curvier, healthier look than someone who focuses entirely on cardio, alone.
Start out slowly. Squatting without weights still counts as resistance training because you are using your body weight as the resistance. Adding weight with a barbell or with dumbbells can be done to increase resistance as your fitness level increases.

Many people train the “problem areas” of their bodies. For instance, they focus on crunches to get six-pack abs, or push-ups to have muscular arms. The reality is that all of those exercises are needed. Squats effectively reduce body fat so that muscles in the abdominals and arms can be seen. Spot reduction is a myth. All over training must occur in order for weight loss and fitness to happen. Squats are an effective, lower-body exercise that can be done at home with little or no equipment.